Free State & Kalahari Region

Free State & Kalahari Region

This region is headed by the Regional Coordinator (RC) with a staff complement of three comprising a social worker, house support assistant, and a gardener. The regional office is based at the Bloemfontein house within walking distance from Universitas Hospital servicing the Free State and northern parts of the Northern Cape Province.

We recognise the inevitable turmoil to family life when a child faces vigorous and often lengthy treatment and thus also extend comprehensive support to the families. Services rendered by the region include a CHOC Social Worker at Universitas Academic Hospital. The social worker walks the cancer journey with the families from diagnosis to the end of treatment or end of life. Less formal emotional support is also provided through support groups such as survivor groups, parent-supporting-parent, bereavement support and interactive play groups in the wards.

This region offers accommodation in Bloemfontein that is within walking distance to Universitas Hospital. The facility not only services the Free State but also northern parts of the Northern Cape Province. The child and parent/caregiver can stay at no cost to them and be with other families facing similar circumstances. The accommodation provides a therapeutic environment that helps patients and parents/caregivers maintain a positive attitude during the cancer journey. It is a clean and safe environment with caring and understanding staff, a place where new friendships are formed.

To ensure that no child abandons treatment due to lack of transport we offer children and families transport grants. Basic necessities such as care bags, nutritional support (food parcels) and bereavement support (funeral funds) are also made available to the families and children.

The region creates awareness of childhood cancer and CHOC programmes locally through marketing campaigns and events. Additional services such as ward comforts, recreational activities and medical support is also offered as needed and as resources allow.